JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2011) - Sophomore Ryan Beaver (Virginia Beach, Va.) of the ETSU men's track and field team picked up his first ever Atlantic Sun Field Athlete of the Week award, announced the conference office on Wednesday.

"Ryan had a great meet at Liberty, even though he only took two jumps," said assistant coach Eli Sunquist. "It was a two-foot indoor PR for him, and this is just the start for him. When he came into my office this fall and said that he wanted to devote himself to becoming the best, and everything started to change. As a coach, I couldn't ask for anything else. I am very excited for Ryan and for what's to come."

The Virginia Beach, Va. native posted a first place finish in the triple jump at the Liberty Open this past weekend as he had a lifetime best mark of 49-7 ¾ on his first jump of the day. The mark was two feet better than Beaver's previous best, and currently ranks in the US top 40.

Beaver and the Bucs return to action this weekend as they host the Niswonger Invitational inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center from Feb. 4-5.